EDDIE Howe saw Cherries mark Grand National day by extending their lead in second place and then said he felt their rivals were still favourites in the race for automatic promotion.

Matt Ritchie’s double sandwiched Brett Pitman’s 16th goal of the season as Cherries went five points clear of the chasing pack after registering a 3-1 victory over Notts County yesterday.

A sixth successive win helped Cherries capitalise on draws for Brentford and Sheffield United, while leaders Doncaster maintained pole position with a 1-0 triumph over Tranmere.

The four teams below Cherries – Yeovil, Brentford, Sheffield United and Swindon – all have games in hand on Howe’s men and the Bees and the Blades could overhaul them.

Howe, speaking after Cherries had all but at least guaranteed a play-off place, told the Daily Echo: “I still put the other teams as favourites against us because they have games in hand.

“They are the masters of their destiny and we are still reliant on them. They are in the driving seat and we have got to carry on trying to win.”

Although a Jeff Hughes header gave County the lead after just 96 seconds, Cherries came back strongly and triumphed for only the second time this season having gone behind. They also beat Tranmere 3-1 in October having conceded first.

“I was really pleased we came from behind because it isn’t something we have done particularly well this season,” said Howe. “Going behind so early was a real test but the players responded to the challenge and it will give us huge confidence for our remaining games.”

Ritchie struck after 17 minutes to cancel out Hughes’s opener before Pitman made it 2-1 midway through the first half. County had midfielder Andre Boucaud sent off for two bookings on the stroke of half-time before Ritchie completed the scoring five minutes from time.

Howe added: “We expected Notts County to play and they did. They made the pitch big, they were brave on the ball and were good even after they had gone down to 10 men. But we also expected to have chances and create things and we did. We scored some great goals and that was really pleasing.

“I would have liked the third goal to come sooner because, at that stage, the game was still very much in the balance. I also would have liked us to have played better against the 10 men. But we got the result and that was all important.”